Make judicious
use of water
Water scarcity has been an issue in Goa despite of the surplus monsoon every year. The state government has admitted that Goa does not have a 24×7 water supply but assured that every household will receive a minimum four hours of water supply daily before the end of 2026. There are several reasons for the water shortage the state is facing. Frequent bursting of pipelines, non-implementation of water harvesting and increase in construction activities are some of the contributing factors. Most new constructions now have swimming pools; at times even each apartment has a private swimming pool, which is a water guzzler and can lead to depletion of groundwater. Swimming pools and lavish gardens are driving water shortages. Periodically draining and refilling the pool can help manage water quality, but it’s important to minimise this practice to conserve water. Recycling swimming pool water can be an environmentally-friendly way to manage water usage and maintain pool hygiene. Pool water can be stored for irrigation or other non-potable uses. The water can be used to water gardens and lawns, provided it meets safety standards. While giving permission for constructing swimming pools the licensing authority needs to check how water for swimming pools will be managed so that it will not affect the water supply to the locals in the vicinity.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Thirst for water
During the recent two-day winter session of the state legislative assembly, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed what has long been common knowledge: Goa is facing a water shortage. He has now assured the people that the government will ensure at least four hours of water supply daily. As a taxpaying citizen, I must ask—why only four hours? Why not a 24×7 supply of water? Is Goa an underdeveloped state, despite the BJP government’s constant claims of massive progress? If water scarcity is such a concern, why is the government blindly approving mega housing projects, many of which include swimming pools? The growing water shortage is being exacerbated by the BJP’s thoughtless policies. It is time for Goans to wake up and halt the excessive real estate before it is too late!
Arwin Mesquita, Colva
Cost of Oppn disunity
The Delhi assembly election results mark a significant political shift, with the BJP securing a decisive victory, ending the decade-long dominance of the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi. For the BJP it was a crucial morale booster and a hat-trick after Haryana and Maharashtra. Interestingly, the BJP beat the AAP at its own game by offering freebies to women and other key groups of voters. Factors such as supply of drinking water, clearing of garbage, cleaning of the Yamuna, deteriorating infrastructure, traffic congestion and air pollution did the AAP in. Most importantly, corruption charges and jail terms damaged the image and credibility of its leaders. Unfortunately, the Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years between 1998 and 2013, drew blank for the third time in a row. The dismal show by Rahul Gandhi as a lead campaigner is bound to further raise question marks on his ability to deliver at the hustings, with the BJP likely to sharpen its attack on the Congress as a dynastic party focused on one family. It appears the Congress was not in favour of helping the AAP and thought that it was in its own interest to damage and downsize that party. The impact of that policy on an Opposition alliance will be known later.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
On Manipur crisis
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh stepped down albeit reluctantly almost 21 months after the state was wracked by ethnic violence. No political resolution in recent memory has been overdue. After the mayhem in Manipur commenced, the responsibility of restoring law and order was largely Singh’s domain. Not only did he fail to rein in the situation, his public posturing exacerbated the crisis; this led to greater polarisation and avoidable loss of lives and property. The delay in resignation means it would be very difficult to remedy the circumstances; there is almost total cleavage between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Both sides have armed themselves to their teeth by looting the armoury of security forces, and there is a clear and present danger of things going further downhill, a political solution seems to be the only way out but that would mean big compromises and loss of face for the BJP. The Manipur police on the instructions of Singh have behaved in an extremely partisan manner throughout the strife. The situation in Manipur is almost beyond salvage, it is not clear whether the BJP would prop up another reluctant CM or would President’s rule be enforced. Addressing the deep distrust between the Kukis and Meiteis will require tremendous effort involving security forces, civil society and politicians. Given the level of polarisation it would be an uphill task but Singh’s stepping down is at least a start. Meanwhile Narendra Modi still remains missing in action.
Vinay Dwivedi, Benaulim
Encourage women scientists
Women and girls lag behind their male counterparts in research in terms of participation and contribution. But in terms of research quality in science, women are second to none. Though engineering and manufacturing, mathematics and natural science have important statistics to boast about the involvement of women, they have to catch up with men in a big way. Studies on the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) reveal that girls are underrepresented. A little less than 30 per cent of the technology researchers are women. The aptitude is there; but the sustainment seems to be missing. Not that men are inferior to women; one is afraid the recruitment policies and working conditions are not very favourable and flexible towards women. Sustainable development goals of the United Nations stand threatened when women-participation in STEM is low. The STEM subjects can be a distant dream for many young girls in Indian villages though village girls are increasingly finding themselves going urban in search of jobs in STEM.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
